11:19 PM CDT on Thursday, August 7, 2008
By BRANDON GEORGE / The Dallas Morning News
bgeorge@dallasnews.com
Dallas Mavericks' fans will have to wait a while to see 2008 second-round draft pick Shan Foster knocking down 3-pointers at American Airlines Center.
Foster, a 6-6 guard from Vanderbilt, has signed a one-year contract with a team in Europe and will play overseas next season, Mavericks president Donnie Nelson said Thursday in an e-mail.
Nelson, who is in China serving as an assistant coach for China's men's Olympic basketball team, didn't specify the team Foster signed with. The Mavericks still retain Foster's NBA rights.
"This gives him valuable playing experience in one of the top leagues in Europe," Nelson said. "He performed well in summer league but ... this gives him a chance to improve. His future is very bright, and we're excited about him rejoining us next summer. This also gives the Mavs roster flexibility, which may prove valuable in the current free-agent market."
Foster and his agent, Bill Duffy, of BDA Sports Management, couldn't be reached for comment.
"We think it's great for Shan if he does," Mavs owner Mark Cuban said via email, "and I think the more NBA-quality players there are in Europe, the better it is for the entire league."
Foster, who will turn 22 this month, averaged 7.5 points in 11 games for the Mavericks' NBA summer league team. He was only 2-for-11 from 3-point range over his final six games.
Vanderbilt's all-time leading scorer, Foster averaged 20.3 points per game last season and was named the Southeastern Conference player of the year. He was a career 42.1-percent 3-point shooter in college. The Mavericks selected Foster with the 51st overall pick.
Mavericks' 2007 second-round draft picks Reyshawn Terry of North Carolina and Ronnie Seibutis of Lithuania also played on teams overseas last year. They both recently completed stints on the Mavs' summer league team. Seibutis has returned to Europe, and Terry is expected to be in Mavs' camp in October.
so, who are wie going to sign now with 2 roster spots still open?
i think that increased the chances of reyshawn terry. althogh we have enough swingman guys with wright, green, jones stack, howard (and jet). would like to see pape sow maybe.
